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"You look kind of green, Harry."
Neville Longbottom observing the effects of the Curse of the Bogies[src]

The common cold is a disease caused by a variety of viruses which primarily affects the upper respiratory system. Common symptoms include coughing, sore throat, sneezing, and a runny nose.[8] Though considered incurable in the Muggle world,[9] the Pepperup Potion, invented by Glover Hipworth in the late 18th century, was a wizarding cure for the disease.[4]

The Curse of the Bogies gave the victim a nasty cold that caused constant sneezing and an extremely runny nose that could cause the victim to collapse if left untreated.[1][10]

History[]

The yeti that was the subject of Gilderoy Lockhart's Year with the Yeti suffered from a head cold at some point during the wizard who Lockhart stole the information to write the book from's year of habitation with it. In 1992, Harry Potter would be forced to portray this yeti during this time period for a reenactment in a Defence Against the Dark Arts class.[7]

In October of 1992, an outbreak of colds struck Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, affecting both the staff and students. These colds were cured by Poppy Pomfrey using large quantities of Pepperup Potion. Among those who took potion was Ginevra Weasley, who was "bullied" into taking it by her brother Percy.[2] However, her symptoms of paleness were due to possession by T. M. Riddle's Diary,[11] not the common cold.

At the time of his arrival at Hogwarts on 30 October 1994, Viktor Krum was suffering from a mild head cold. Because of this, his High Master Igor Karkaroff was insistent that he enter the castle as quickly as possible.[5]

During a Quidditch match against Gryffindor, Hufflepuff Seeker Summerby had a cold, and therefore missed an opportunity to catch the Golden Snitch when he sneezed. The Snitch was ultimately caught by Ginny, though due to her brother's Ron's abysmal performance, Hufflepuff still won by ten points.[6]

Constance Pickering considered it lamentable that Muggles did not have a cure for the common cold, unlike wizards.[9]

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

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